Cubs notes.

Wilson Sacrifices Himself For Rhodes

Veteran Willie Wilson, in a private meeting with manager Tom Trebelhorn, said he should be riding the bench more and Tuffy Rhodes should be playing more in his place in center field.

Wilson started Tuesday night for the second time in three games, because Rhodes is left-handed and the Cubs were facing a lefty.

"I just went in there and told him, `Let the kid play,' " said Wilson. "I feel comfortable coming off the bench for one at-bat and two innings of defense. But putting me in for a day and then him for a day isn't doing either one of us any good."

Wilson told Rhodes what he had done. "I love it," said Rhodes. "I have the ultimate respect for Willie Wilson. It was like passing the torch."

Hurting: Right-hander Mike Morgan says his shoulder was so sore after making his second start on Sunday that he had trouble reaching behind his back. But he shrugs off reports that he is so sore he might only make 10 starts this season. "I'm going to pitch Saturday (in Colorado) and then again in Houston on Thursday."

Still, Morgan admitted he is worried his shoulder troubles could lead to greater problems. "I don't want it moving down into the rotator." He said he has been experimenting with a split-finger fastball and felt pain in his shoulder for the first time after spring training. "I've never had this before," he said.

Black cloud: Left-hander Lance Dickson, who has been on the disabled list seven times since 1990, had to leave his last start at Triple-A Iowa after being hit by a pitch attempting to bunt.

Mending: Reliever Jessie Hollins is in town to have a checkup on his surgically repaired shoulder. Hollins missed all of last season and started this year on the disabled list. He is scheduled for another checkup this week in Alabama and hopes to return to Triple-A Iowa soon.